Automatic lubricator.



No. 704,02l. Patented 1u|y a, |902.

A. A. FREEMAN.

AUTOMATIC LUBRICATOR.

(Application filed Aug. 26, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT A. FREEMAN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO STANDARD AUTOMATIC LUBRIOATOR lCOMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC LUBRICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 704,021,01ated July e, 1902. Application filed August 26, 1901. Serial No. 73,255. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT A. FREEMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Phila-V delphia, in the county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Im provements in Automatic Lubricators, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to automatic lubricators, in which adepending spring holds an inverted ballevalve up against its seat, controlling the port leading from the reservoir, so that the rate at which the lubricant is fed depends upon the tension of thespring and the vibration to which the ball is subjected.

The regular'feeding of the lubricant at the rate required for perfect lubrication without Waste I have found to be most satisfactorily effected by the use of a nicely-tempered spring having its coils closed, so that it forms a exible column witha solid wall, in combination with a weighted or loaded ball-valve immovably fixed thereto. The solid column formed of closed coils prevents appreciable contraction from its normal state, but permits the elongation necessary for varying the pressure of the valve upon its seat, so that the lubricant in the reservoir may work through the port at the rate required for effecting the lubrication desired. The loaded ball-valve, having a core in which opened coils of the spring are embedded, provides suicient weight to eect the requisite elongation of the column for permitting the regular feeding of the lubricant when the ball is subjected to the vibration of the mechanism due to motion. The peculiar fixed connection between the column and the valve prevents the wearor play which takes place in a movable connection and results in irregular or wasteful lubrication, while the peculiar support employed for sustaining the column provides against its irregular or other action than the slight longitudinal vibration requisite for sufficiently moving the valve to eect the desired feeding of the lubricant.

The characteristic features of my invention will more fully appear by reference to the accompanying drawings in illustration thereof, of which- Figure l is a vertical sectional View. Fig. 5o

to that shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a side elevation 0f the valve mechanism and its support. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the valve mechanism and a modified form of support therefor. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line-a aof Fig. 3, and Fig. 6 is a sectional. view on the line b b of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, the reservoir l, which may b e adapted for fitting any usual form of lubricator-box, ras l', contains the struts 2, forming au open pedestal,which may haveabearing 2 atY the top thereof,this pedestal acting as a supportand guide for the valve-coutrolling mechanism A head 3, having shoulders 3', which engage the struts and prevent the head from turning, is provided with a shank 3,, internally threaded for the engagement of the screw 4, which holds the head, and externally threaded for engaging the'coils 5 at the top of the column 5, which is supported thereby. The head of the screw 4; may rest upon the bearing 2 or directly upon the struts 2,in which latter case a bearing 4 may be provided on the head. 75 The column 5 has the opened coils 5" at its lower end inserted in the spherical shell 6' of the valve 6, theI column and shell being permanently fixed together and the valve weighted by means of the core of heavy metal 6", which fills the shell and the opened coil embedded therein. The shell 6 is 4suitably formed'of a hard metal, such as cast-iron, which can be turned so as to form a perfect union with the port-seat 7 before connecting it with the column 5. The core 6 is suitably formed of Babbitt metal, whichwill cool and solidify without affecting the temper of the column, will not shrink away from theshell in cooling, so as vto permit leakage through the ball, and provides the weight requisite for most satisfactory results.

Having described my invention, I vclaiml. In an automatic lubricator, a valve comprising a shell and a core cast therein, in combination with a spring having coils thereof embedded in said core, substantially as specifled.

2. In an automatic lubricator, a valve comprising a spherical shell and a core of loading material cast therein, in combination with a spring having open coils embedded in said core and closed coils forming a iiexible supporting-column, substantially as specified.

3. In an automatic lubrieator, a reservoir, an open pedestal therein, ahead having shoulders for holding the same against turning by engagement with said pedestal, a coiled spring supported by said head, said head having a threaded shank which engages the coils of said spring, and a valve permanently fixed to said spring and supported thereby, said Valve oomprising a shell and a core in which the end of said spring is embedded, substantially as specified.

4. In an automatic' lubricater, a reservoir,

guiding-struts therein, a head having shoulders for holding the same longitudinally and against turning, a coiled spring forming a closed column supported by said head, and

a Valve comprising a spherical shell having a core of loading material cast therein, thelower coils of said spring being embedded in said core, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my i Witnesses:

LAURA V. WHITCOMB, PERCIVAL II. GRANGER. 

